www.marilynbrant.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Many thanks to Lorelei from Lorelei's Lit Lair(read her essay here)for inviting me to participate in this year's celebration and also to Bobbi Dumas who created theRead-A-Romance Monthevent!! Such a fantastic idea, and I'm so pleased to be a part of it, ladies!

A Few Thoughts on Romance:

I don't know what's going on this summer, but it's been a time where several people close to me have gotten some very difficult news. There have been a few health crises, the sad loss of loved ones, deep frustrations with relationships or careers, and worries about children...

In a couple of cases, the first thing I did after giving that friend a hug was to offer her a romance novel by one of the many authors whose work I enjoyed. Something joyful and uplifting that would hopefully make my friend laugh and provide for her a short-term mental escape from the darker, daily-life realities. I can't tell you all the number of times that a reader has sent me or another romance author a message through social media thanking us for writing stories that are funny, touching, and ultimately optimistic and hopeful. I've personally received some beautiful emails from readers who were sitting at hospital bedsides with a sick parent/spouse/child, and they told me how grateful they were to read a story that brought a smile to their faces during a time when they most needed it.

This is one of the reasons that I love to write humorous contemporary romances and romantic women's fiction. Because the reader in me does the very same thing when I'm sad -- I reach for a romance novel to remind me of some of life's most joyful moments. The authors whose books I escaped into were lifesavers. They helped me keep my spirits up and gave me mental images that were -- for a brief while, at least -- as real to me as the world I was inhabiting. I'll never stop being appreciative of that gift!

The Questions:

1. Tell us about a moment in your life when you experienced sheer joy:
When I got the call from RWA that the manuscript that later became my debut novel -- According to Jane -- was a finalist for the Golden Heart Award. A few months later, at the 2007 national Romance Writers of America's conference in Dallas, it won! That was so exciting. I still smile when I think of it :).

2. Tell us about a place that brings you joy or is attached to a memory of joy:
Seeing Venice, Italy for the first time. I was utterly spellbound. It looked just as I'd imagined it would be, but even better. We came around the Grand Canal in a water bus and saw San Marco's Square, and the sight of it in the sunlight took my breath away. It's simply gorgeous. (I got to write about the city in A Summer in Europe, and I gave my character Gwen some of my real first impressions!)

3. Tell us about a sound that brings you joy:
Music is a huge part of my life. I've enjoyed being a singer in a women's barbershop choir, a cast member in a community theater musical, and a dancer in a touring dance group that traveled through Europe with a live band. I also studied viola, piano, and guitar. So live music -- in a multitude of genres -- always brings me joy!

4. What recent book have you read that brought you joy?
I loved THE ROSIE PROJECT by Graeme Simsion. It's an unusual romance that I found to be really heartwarming and humorous.

5. And, for fun, the joy of choice -- which Chris: Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Chris, Rock, Chris Evans, or Christopher Plummer?
This was the hardest question!! I really like all of these actors...but I posted a picture of my personal favorite below. Mmmm!!

Take a Chance on Me (Mirabelle Harbor,
Book 1) - out now!!

The Giveaway:
In celebration of the release of my new Mirabelle Harbor series, I'm giving away a digital copy of the opening novella (TAKE A CHANCE ON ME - Book 1) to one commenter on this post! Winner's choice of format (epub, mobi, or pdf). The contest is open internationally, and I'll do a random drawing for the winner around noon Central Time on August 18th. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in the comments, so I can easily contact you if you win the ebook!

Here's some info about the first two books in this new romantic series:

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

Baklava...yum!

Take a Chance on Me is a standalone romantic-comedy
novella and Book 1 in Marilyn Brant’s Mirabelle Harbor series. Dedicated
personal trainer Chance Michaelsen falls hard for Nia Pappayiannis—his complete
opposite and a member of the family that owns the Greek bakery just down the
street from his gym. He considers their pastries to be the enemy of good health,
but he can’t quite shake his attraction to Nia, who doesn’t seem nearly as
impressed with him or his sculpted physique as most of the women around town

Unfortunately,
between her doctor’s orders and the interfering ways of Chance’s crazy-making
ex-girlfriend, who just happens to be one of Nia’s long-time friends, Chance
gets assigned to be Nia’s fitness coach for the month. Pure torture. And if his
ex weren’t already causing enough problems, he also has to deal with Nia’s
current boyfriend—some hotshot Chicago CEO who talks big but, in Chance’s
opinion, is as fake as a Styrofoam barbell.

Nia may have her
doubts about a romance with him, but Chance has a well-developed competitive streak and
might just be willing to give it a shot...if he can convince her to do the
same.

Chris Hemsworth, a swoon-worthy movie star,
who looks rather like the actor that Julia had a
longtime crush on in The One That I Want...

The One That I Want is Book 2 in the Mirabelle Harbor series, and it's a full-length standalone novel. The summer after her beloved husband died in a car accident, Julia Meriwether Crane is still picking up the pieces of her life in Mirabelle Harbor and trying to help her ten-year-old daughter adjust to this difficult new reality.After her best friend Sharlene—one of the well-connected Michaelsen siblings—talks her into finally going out on the town again, Julia finds herself stunned to be the object of interest of several different men: The boy who’d broken her heart back in high school. The college ex she’d left behind. And most surprising of all, the movie actor she’d always fantasized about but had never met in person...until now. Can one woman have more than one “great love” in the same lifetime? And, if so, how can she be sure which man that’ll be?

Sometimes the person you think will be best for you isn’t the one you really want.[Available now on Amazon, B&N, iBooks, and Kobo -- as well as in paperback!]

Some Favorite Writers I Recommend:
I love all of these authors! Each of them writes wonderfully romantic stories (sometimes blended with mystery, suspense, paranormal, fantasy/sci-fi, or historical elements...) and, what's more, they're some of the kindest and most generous people I know ;). At one point, we all blogged together on Magical Musings -- a fabulous site for both readers and writers -- and it was always a pleasure to spend time with them there!

Marilyn Brant is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy and mystery. She was named the Author of the Year (2013) by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She loves all things Jane Austen, has a passion for Sherlock Holmes, is a travel addict and a music junkie, and lives on chocolate and gelato. Visit her website: www.marilynbrant.com and keep an eye out for more novels this year in her new "Mirabelle Harbor" series.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The first release in my new Mirabelle Harbor series -- TAKE A CHANCE ON ME -- is out this week!!!

**Pausing to throw confetti in the air & do a happy dance, LOL.**

For anyone who isn't familiar with the premise for this stand-alone romantic novella, here it is:

Dedicated personal trainer Chance Michaelsen falls hard for Nia Pappayiannis—his complete opposite and a member of the family that owns the Greek bakery just down the street from his gym. He considers their pastries to be the enemy of good health, but he can’t quite shake his attraction to Nia, who doesn’t seem nearly as impressed with him or his sculpted physique as most of the women around town

Unfortunately, between her doctor’s orders and the interfering ways of Chance’s crazy-making ex-girlfriend, who just happens to be one of Nia’s long-time friends, Chance gets assigned to be Nia’s fitness coach for the month. Pure torture. And if his ex weren’t already causing enough problems, he also has to deal with Nia’s current boyfriend—some hotshot Chicago CEO who talks big but, in Chance’s opinion, is as fake as a Styrofoam barbell.

Nia may have her doubts about a romance with him, but Chance has a well-developed competitive streak and might just be willing to give it a shot...if he can convince her to do the same.

In matters of the heart, would you risk it all? TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, a Mirabelle Harbor story.

**

Review

"Take a chance and get lost between the covers of this delightful summer novella." ~Blogging Under the Shade Tree Reviews

I loved this story, while reading it, I kept flashing back to My Big Fat Greek Wedding whenever Nia's family is around, such a wonderful big crazy Greek family, loved it. And I loved Chance, the turmoil he feels about Nia was amazing, fighting that inner battle on what to do, it's a love story that is beautifully written. If you want a love story that makes you feel good, then this is the book, a must read!I loved this story, while reading it, I kept flashing back to My Big Fat Greek Wedding whenever Nia's family is around, such a wonderful big crazy Greek family, loved it. And I loved Chance, the turmoil he feels about Nia was amazing, fighting that inner battle on what to do, it's a love story that is beautifully written. If you want a love story that makes you feel good, then this is the book, a must read!

Saturday, July 4, 2015

It's been a long time coming...but I can finally share the news about my upcoming contemporary romance series -- Mirabelle Harbor -- and the release dates for the first 2 books in the series!!

The first is a romantic novella called TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, and it'll be coming out on the 21st of July. Can't wait to reveal the cover in about ten days (!!), but here's a bit about that story:

Welcome to Mirabelle Harbor! In this scenic suburb on Chicago’s North Shore, overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan, the Michaelsen family has made their home for generations. Although their parents and grandparents are now gone, siblings Derek, Blake, Sharlene, and the twins—Chandler and Chance—all have fond memories of growing up in town, and most still live there. Chance Michaelsen, the youngest member of the family (by two minutes) and the quietest (by far), is a dedicated twenty-eight-year-old personal trainer at the local gym. While he might not say much, Chance has made it clear that he’s not a fan of toxic people, unhealthy habits, or sharing too many of his emotions. With anybody.

Enter Antonia “Nia” Pappayiannis—the prettiest member of the loudest and most overly demonstrative family in town. They’re also the owners of The Gala, a Greek restaurant and bakery known for its decadent pastries and located just a few steps from Chance’s gym. He considers their entire family business to be the enemy of good health, but he can’t quite shake his attraction to Nia, who doesn’t seem nearly as impressed with him or his sculpted physique as most of the women around Mirabelle Harbor.

Unfortunately, between her doctor’s orders and the interfering ways of Chance’s crazy-making ex-girlfriend, who just happens to be one of Nia’s long-time friends, Chance gets assigned to be Nia’s fitness coach for the month. Pure torture. And if his ex weren’t already causing enough problems, he also has to deal with Nia’s current boyfriend—some hotshot Chicago CEO who talks big but, in Chance’s opinion, is as fake as a Styrofoam barbell.

The road to romance is going to be a rocky one, and though Nia has her doubts about moving forward, Chance has a well-developed competitive streak and might just be willing to give it a shot...if he can convince her to do the same.

In matters of the heart, would you risk it all? TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, a Mirabelle Harbor story.

And coming out just a few days later, on July 26th, is a full-length novel and the second Mirabelle Harbor book -- THE ONE THAT I WANT -- which is up for pre-order on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, and Kobo right now (coming soon to iBooks)!! Check out the book cover above, designed by the talented Sarah Hansen -- I love it! And here is the back-cover blurb for this novel, a story that involves some of my favorite things...movie stars, modern characters inspired by Austen, and caramel brownies:

The summer after her beloved husband died in a car accident, Julia Meriwether Crane is still picking up the pieces of her life in Mirabelle Harbor and trying to help her ten-year-old daughter adjust to this difficult new reality.

After her best friend Sharlene—one of the well-connected Michaelsen siblings—talks her into finally going out on the town again, Julia finds herself stunned to be the object of interest of several different men: The boy who’d broken her heart back in high school. The college ex she’d left behind. And most surprising of all, the movie actor she’d always fantasized about but had never met in person...until now. Can one woman have more than one “great love” in the same lifetime? And, if so, how can she be sure which man that’ll be?Sometimes the person you think will be best for you isn’t the one you really want. THE ONE THAT I WANT, a Mirabelle Harbor story.All of the books in the series are stand-alone stories, connected through the town and a relationship to the Michaelsen family, so they can be read in any order! Looking forward to sharing more book launch details and celebrations soon! And Happy 4th of July :) .

New Release: Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet!

THE ROAD TO YOU ~ Out Now!!

"Sometimes the only road to the truth...is one you've never taken." ~A coming-of-age romantic mystery (October 2013). To BUY, click on the cover or go to the "Books" page on my website!

A SUMMER IN EUROPE ~ Out Now!!

"It's not where you go. It's what you take back with you." (Kensington, Fall 2011) To BUY, click on the cover or go to the "Books" page on my website!

PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT MATCH ~ Out Now!

Original eBook Romantic Comedy with an Austen twist, January 2013 ~ To BUY, click on the cover or go the the "Books" page on my website!

HOLIDAY MAN ~ Out Now!

A Contemporary Romance Told Over a Year of Holidays, Original eBook, Nov. 2012, To BUY, click on the cover or go to the "Books" page on my website!

DOUBLE DIPPING ~ Out Now!!

Original eBook Romantic Comedy with a touch of Mystery, September 2011 ~ To BUY, click on the cover or go the the "Books" page on my website!

ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE~Out Now!!

Original eBook Romantic Comedy, June 2011 ~ To BUY, click on the cover or go to the "Books" page on my website!

FRIDAY MORNINGS AT NINE~Out Now!!

Kensington Books, Oct. 2010 *A Doubleday Book Club & Book-of-the-Month Club Pick* To BUY, click on the cover or go to the "Books" page on my website!

ACCORDING TO JANE~Out Now!!

Kensington Books, Oct. 2009 *Winner of the 2007 Golden Heart Award for Best Mainstream Novel, the 2009 Single Titles Reviewers' Choice Award, the 2010 Aspen Gold Reader's Choice Award & the 2010 Booksellers' Best Award* To BUY, click on the cover or go to the "Books" page on my website!

About Me

I'm a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction -- I write romance, women's fiction, and mystery, and I was also named the Author of the Year in 2013 by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English.